We have previously reported on Associate Health Minister Casey Costello’s links to the Atlas Network and her links to the tobacco industry. Earlier this year she was accused of implementing tobacco industry talking points as policy by her own officials, and most recently it came to light that Costello left a crucial benefit analysis out of her paper to cabinet in February when proposing sweeping reform of NZ’s Smokefree legislation – potentially costing the country $46 billion.
Now Costello has been forced to apologise for trying to cover her tracks through the Official Information Act process.
Associate Health Minister Casey Costello has been severely reprimanded by the Chief Ombudsman and forced to apologise for trying to keep information about tobacco and vaping policy secret.
Chief Ombudsman Judge Peter Boshier took the rare step of forcing Costello to apologise to RNZ and to Otago University Professor of Public Health Janet Hoek for her handling of Official Information Act (OIA) requests.
In his ruling, Boshier said Costello’s actions in withholding the information were “unreasonable and contrary to law”.
In late December RNZ made an OIA request, asking for all documents sent, held or received by Costello relating to tobacco control and vaping policy.
Costello refused to release any documents at all, citing a clause in the OIA protecting confidential advice tendered by ministers and officials.
RNZ asked the Ombudsman to intervene and the results of his investigation show deep concerns about how Costello handled the information.